Reclosable carton



United States Patent [1113,549,082

[72] Inventor Warren 0. Simpson FOREIGN PATENTS Battle Creek, Mich. 1,51 1,103 12/1967 France 229/51RC x3 1 Primary ExaminerLeonard Summer [45 1 patented Dec. 5 1970 Attorney-Gary, Parker, J uettner, Pigott and Cullinan [73] Assignee Kellogg Company Battle Creek, Mich.

a corporation of Delaware [54] RECLOSABLE CARTON 2 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

2,962,202 11/1960 Hansen I1. (229/MBDig) 3,037,681 6/1962 Kuchenbecker et al (229/MB Dig) 3,071,304 1/1963 Brastad (229/51 RC) 3,129,869 4/1964 Kirkwood et al. 229/5l(RC) 3,366,311 l/l968 Simpson et al 229/5l(RC) ABSTRACT: A paperboard carton characterized by a top closure flap formed with a tapered tongue partially projecting from the outer longitudinal edge thereof and which is free from the lower' adjacent flap. The flap from which the tongue extends is further formed with a line of slits extending to or adjacent to the tongue root portion and which slits further extend obliquely therefrom to or adjacent to a side or transverse edge portion of the flap to define an opposed pair of substantially triangular components which are sealed against the lower adjacent flap. The top closure flap may be elevated by separating it from said triangular parts in a progressive action started by first lifting the tongue. The complete tongue is adapted for firm interlocking engagement within a complementary slit formed in an adjacent flap disposed normally therebeneath. The paperboard in the line of slits adjacent the root of the tongue is adapted to rupture relatively easier than the slits radiating outwardly therefrom. The blank from which the carton is formed may be produced in a series wherein the tongue portion projecting from one of the top flaps is interdigitated with or cut from the bottom closure flap on an adjacent carton blank.

PATENTEDDEB22I97B 3,549,082

SHEET 2 OF 2 RECLOSABLE CARTON The present invention relates to an easy opening, reclosable carton formed from a paperboard blank or a series of blanks, cut, scored and perforated or slit to define one or more rectangular cartons having sidewalls and top and bottom closure flaps hinged to the sidewalls. The top closure flaps comprise an opposed pair of spaced dust flaps and an opposed pair of interengageable closure flaps in partial or overlying relationship to each other which are sequentially folded and secured over the dust flaps. The lowermost one of the interengageable closure flaps is medially formed in a tucking slot adapted to receive a tongue or tuck tab from the uppermost of the interengageable closure flaps for reclosing purposes after the carton has once been opened.

The uppermost closure flap is formed with a tongue which extends from what is normally its outerlongitudinal edge (or edge parallel to its fold line) and is not sealed down. This uppermost flap is further formed with slit lines extending from the root of the tongue, which is normally tapered, at and to the fiap fold line towards or to the side edges of the top closure flap.

The lines of slit or incision at or adjacent the root of the tongue preferably are relatively longer than the remaining slits defining the generally triangular sealed down tabs so as to enable the line of slits to rupture relatively easy at the area of the tongue root when one merely lifts the tongue, or with the aid of one or two fingers inserted thereunder and moved laterally.

The present invention permits economy of materials by using closure flaps which are lesser in dimension than the carton in a direction normal to the hinge line of the closure flaps, i.e. which do not extend completely over the carton top (although a sufficient length to overlap and provide a reenforced or double thickness at one side of the line of slits). In addition, economy of materials is effected by at least partially cutting of the tongue or tuck tab in a top flap of one carton from a bottom flap of an adjacent carton, the cartons being formed and cut in series. The portion cut from the bottom flap does not prevent the forming of a secure bottom closure. At the same time, the tab extending from one of the top flaps and preferably further formed by separation from the opposed pair of scaled down triangular strips provides a relatively long tongue adapted for firm and secure reclosing.

The objects and advantages of the present invention, its details of construction, arrangement of parts and economies thereof, will be further apparent of parts and economies thereof, will be further apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank showing the top and bottom portions of a carton formed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG..2 is a perspective view of a top of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 before it is closed down on its adjacent flap in the process of manufacture.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top of the carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 and which is progressive to FIG. 2, and shows the top flap as originally closed down before being opened for the first time.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the carton top progressive to the view of FIG. 3 illustrating a step in the original or initial opening of the carton.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view'of the carton top progressive to the view of FIG. 4 showing the carton opened up and showing the top flap 27 elevated and separated from an opposed pair of triangular portions which were originally a part thereof but which remained sealed down.

FIG. 6 is a view progressive to that of FIG. 5 showing the carton top being closed after having been initially opened and the components of top flap 27 separated. 7

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carton top progressive to that of FIG. 6 showing the tongue on the top closure flap inserted within the slot of the lower top closure flap.

FIG. 8 is a blank development view similar to that of FIG. 1 illustrating certain areas provided with adhesive and other areas printed with certain lacquers or inks having glue repellency characteristics which are adapted to prevent adhesion of adjacent parts.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top of the carton similar to that of FIG. 2 but employing the adhesive and ink hold-out areas of FIG. 8 prior to the sealing of any of them.

FIG. 10 is a view progressive to that of FIG. 9 showing the lower one of the top closure flaps sealed down against the dust flaps.

FIG. 11 is a modified form of construction, the view being a perspective view of the top of the carton similar to that of the view of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10 of the drawings, the panels 10 and 11 define carton sidewalls, the panel 10 being hinged at 12 to the end panel 13, and at 14 to the opposedpanel 15. The panel 11 is hinged at 16 to the end panel 15 and at 17 to the side tab 18 which is adhesively secured to the panel 13 to form a rectangular carton.

To the panel 13 there is secured a dust flap 19 on the scored hinge line 20. The opposed dust flap 21 is hinged to the panel 15 on the score line 22. To the wall 10 there is hinged on line 23 a flap 24 which comprises the lower one of a pair of interengageable closure flaps, this flap 24 being formed medially with a slit or tuck tab slot 25 adapted to receive the tuck tab or tongue 26 formed on the uppermost interengageable closure fiap 27 which is hinged to the wall 11 on the score line 28. The slot 25 for receiving the tuck tab 26 may actually be formed of interrupted slits, perforations or incisions which can readily be severed so as to form a depressible tab aided by continuation of the slot at the inturned lines of incision 29, 29.

The tongue 26 is partially preformed and extends from the longitudinal edge 30 or edge which is parallel to the hinge line 28.

In the manufacture of the cartons, the blanks are successively cut, scored and sealed in a series so that the tongue 26 projecting from one carton is cut from a bottom flap of an adjacent carton as for example indicated by FIG. 1 wherein a top closure flap 27 having an integral tongue 26 is severed and cut from the bottom closure panel or flap 31 for economy of materials and for aid in provision of relatively long tongues for securing enhanced reclosability.

The bottom of the carton shown in FIG. 1 in addition to comprising the flap 31 comprises dust flaps 32 and 33 which are closed down first, the flap 34 secured thereover, following which the flap 31 is last secured by adhesive means to form a firm bottom closure. The portion cut out from the flaps 31 by the tongue 26' has no detrimental effect on the security of the bottom closure.

In addition to the tongue 26 projecting from the edge 30 of flap 27, it is further defined by the perforation or slit lines 35 and 36 at the root of the tongue from which there then radiates the relatively shorter slit lines 37 extending from the root of the tongue at a lesser incline to the side edges of closure flap 27 providing the substantially triangular adhesion strips 38, 38.

In setting up the carton the flap 24 is first sealed down over the dust flaps 20 and 21 and then the flap 27 is sealed thereover, sealing of the flap 27 being in controlled spaced areas so that the tongue 26 may be grasped and lifted causing successive rupture on the elongated slit lines 35, 36 and shorter lines 37, leaving the strips 38, 38 sealed down by dots of adhesive as at 39, or in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10 as will be hereinafter described. It will also be understood that the extent of the slits 35 and 36 and the bridges remaining between them will to some extent be dependent upon the thickness and nature of the paperboard of which the entire blank is formed. This action also causes defining the complete tongue 26. As previously indicated, separation from the strips 38, 38 is facilitated by the relatively longer slits 35 and 36 adjacent the root of the tongue 26. Once the tongue 26 and flap 27 have been elevated or separated from the strips 36 and access gained to the contents of the carton, the carton may be reclosed by inserting the new complete tongue 26 within the slot 25 of the adjacent lower flap 24 to provide a firm reclosure as indicated in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 4, opening of the carton may be facilitated by inserting a pair of fingers 40 under the tongue 26 and spreading them apart laterally. This aids in rupturing the slits 35, 36 and 37 in progressive manner and forms a clean separation of the opposed substantially triangularly shaped portions 38 from the remainder of the top flap 27.

As will be noted from FIGS. land 2, the inclined slits 35 which define the root of the tongue 26 are critical and extend from the outer edge of flap 27 where it meets the tongue to lateral slits 36, except that at these two points a small amount of bridge material remains, which material can readily be ruptured when the tongue 26 is manually elevated. Thereafter, it is just necessary to slide the fingers sideways and the main portion of flap 26 commences to separate from the sealed-down strips 38, 38. This progressive and lateral tearing is aided by the elongated slits 36, 36 which are adjacent to the slits 35 so that tear is directed laterally although somewhat inclined, and continues along the slit lines 37 rather than causing the tongue 26 to be torn short across the top of flap 27, which would otherwise be the case-were it not for the directionalization and elongation of slits 35 and 36.

As will be noted from FIGS. 8 to 10, in addition to the adhesive areas 41, 42 on dust flaps 19 and 21 respectively, which provide a sealed hold-down for the bottom closure flap 24, these dust flaps 19 and 21 and flap 24 are provided with inked or lacquered hold-out area portions 43, 44 and 45. The printed or lacquered area 45 is particularly critical in that when a roller of adhesive is applied over an end portion of the flap 24, while adhesive will adhere to areas 46 and 47, no adhesive will adhere to the area 45 enclosed by the diagonal lines including the area at the tongue 26. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 9 and the lower flap 24 is first folded down and sealed to the adhesive areas 41 and 42, following which the flap 27 is folded down and sealed to the areas 46 and 47 to which the portions 38, 38 of top flap 27 adhere but to which the remaining portion including tongue 26 do not adhere. In other words, at no time is the tongue 26 and the areas inwardly thereof on the score lines 35, 36 and 37 adhered to the lower flap 24. Thus, by manually lifting the tongue 26 rupturing of the lines 35, 36 and 37 may commence and this can be aided by the insertion of the fingers 40 as shown in FIG. 4 and by spreading the fingers and complete severance may be obtained along the indicated score lines leaving only the opposed substantially triangular portions 38 sealed down. After the top flap 27 minus its components 38, 38 is elevated from flap 24, flap 24 can be readily elevated from the dust flaps 19 and 21 by rupturing the adhered areas 41 and 42 for access to the contents of the package.

The modified form of construction of FIG. 11 is similar to that of the previously described forms .except that in this instance the tongue 26 is replaced by the tongue 48 which is fully formed and the sides thereof are inclined substantially in a continuation of the opposed pairs of score lines 49, 49. These score lines 49, 49 terminate adjacent the root of tongue 48 in relatively elongated slits 50, 50 facilitating initial tear when the tongue 48 is elevated for opening and which may be aided by the insertion of fingers as shown in FIG. 4. The sealing may be as shown at 39 in FIG. 2, or as shown with respect to FIGS. 8 to 10, and reclosed in the manner previously described with respect to the forms of FIGS. 1 to 10.

As will be noted from FIG. 11, the top flap 27 may be imprinted with the words Press Press adjacent the root of the tongue 48. By pressing these areas opening of the slit or score lines 49, 49 can be facilitated. Although not shown with respect to the previous FIGS., similar legends may be disposed adjacent the root of the tongue 26 of the flap 27 and the separation of the flap 27 on its score or slit lines 35, 36 and 37 from the slitted down triangular portions 38, 38 readily accomplished.

Although I have shown and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the details thereof without departing from its scope as comprehended by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A rectangular paperboard carton comprising sidewalls and top flaps hinged thereto, said top flaps comprising an opposed pair of dust flaps and an opposed pair of interengageable closure flaps in but partial overlying relationship to each other and sequentially folded and secured over said dust flaps, the lowermost one of said closure flaps being medially formed with a slot parallel to its hinge line and adapted to receive a tongue from the uppermost one of said closure flaps, the uppermost flap being formed with a tapered tongue partially projecting from itsforward outer edge and having a root portion defined in part by inclined slits formed in said uppermost flap, said uppermost flap being further formed with opposed oblique slit and perforation lines extending from said tongue root slit portion toward the side edges of said uppermost flap, the dust flaps being spaced from each other and said slot, said uppermost flap being adhesively secured to said lowermost flap only in the substantially triangular areas defined between its said lines of slit and its said forward edge.

2. The carton of claim 1 wherein the line of slits adjacent the root of the tongue are relatively longer than the remaining lines of perforation and thereby adapted to rupture more readily than said remaining lines. 

